Published 11:24 pm, Saturday, January 2, 2016

UConn’s conference opener at Tulane on Saturday night had turned into a game of attrition by the early second half.

Already without 7-foot center Amida Brimah (finger injury), the Huskies’ top three big men — Kentan Facey, Shonn Miller and Steve Enoch — all found themselves in foul trouble. and, in fact, all three wound up fouling out.

The Huskies were able to hang on for the 75-67 victory, despite squandering what had been a 19-point lead early in the latter half. Still, coach Kevin Ollie wasn’t happy with the way his big men played on defense. Facey fouled out in just nine minutes of action.

“We can’t have Kentan getting five fouls in nine minutes,” Ollie said. “He’s got to learn how to stay on the court. And Shonn Miller’s got to learn how to stay on the court, too. He had some questionable fouls, coming down, taking charges. He has to be very smart for us, because he’s one of our key players and we need him on the court.”

Even with all the foul trouble, 6-10 senior Phil Nolan remained on the bench until the final two minutes, after Enoch had fouled out. Nolan wound up coming up with a blocked shot and a steal (and a foul) in his brief playing time.

“We put on the board that we need to be accountable when we come in,” said Ollie. “I’m glad Phil stayed with it.”

Enoch, a freshman who hadn’t played at all the game before against Texas, was the first man off the bench Saturday night.

“He’s been performing very well in practice,” Ollie explained. “That’s why I went with him.”

VISIT FROM DEANDRE

DeAndre Daniels, who helped lead the Huskies to their fourth national title two seasons ago, was at the game and inside the locker room afterwards. Daniels, who played in Australia last year but broke his foot about four months ago, was in the city visiting his grandmother and stepmom for the holidays.

Daniels, whose rights are still owned by Toronto after being taken in the second round of the 2014 NBA draft, has been rehabbing up in Toronto lately. He said he probably needs about another month or two of rehabbing before he’s ready to play again. He’s not under contract with the Raptors, who will relinquish his rights after this season.

Daniels enjoyed his time in Australia last year.

“It was good,” he said. “I loved it. To be far away and be out there by myself was tough at first, but it was good to grow up and play a new position (small forward). It was a good league, and I enjoyed my time out there.”

FINALLY!

UConn’s win snapped a three-year losing streak in their conference openers. The Huskies lost to Marquette in Milwaukee on New Year’s Day, 2013, in their final year in the Big East; lost at Houston on New Year’s Eve, 2014; and lost at home to Temple last New Year’s Eve, as well.

The Huskies have been on the road since Sunday, when they arrived in Austin, Texas for Tuesday’s road win over the Longhorns.

“We’re gonna take two road victories on this trip,” said Ollie. “Long trip, I know the guys are probably excited to get back home and back in front of our crowd. But I really like the effort of these guys.”